COLUMN: Area refs work to get calls correct

One of the nice things about this job is that I've gotten friendly over the years with members of the Hattiesburg Officials Association.

These are the men and women who referee and umpire games in the Pine Belt, and we are blessed with some of the best officials in the state of Mississippi.

I bring up referees, because they've been in the news lately.

Specifically, there has been much ado over the end of last week's Madison Central-Starkville game at Starkville.

The Jaguars trailed 45-42 when they completed a pass for a touchdown as time expired. However, as the Madison Central receiver crossed the goal line, a penalty flag was thrown, and the Jaguars were called for offensive pass interference.

At that point, the referee ruled no touchdown, game over, and immediately led his crew off the field.

However, according to my friends in the officiating community, the game cannot end on a penalty of any sort. And the referees at Starkville erred in ending last week's game as they did.

Starkville should have only been given the option of accepting the penalty, which would have resulted in a 15-yard mark-off, but allowed Madison Central one untimed play, or declining the penalty, which would have resulted in the touchdown.

Shades of 1986

The fiasco brought back memories of the wild game between Southern Miss and East Carolina at Greenville, N.C., in 1986.

The Pirates had gone ahead 21-20 with just seconds left on the clock, and kicked off to the Golden Eagles.

As time ran out, USM's returner ran downfield, then, before he could be tackled, threw a pass across the field to an open Golden Eagle player, who took it the rest of the way for an apparent touchdown.

After a lengthy conference, it was determined to be an illegal forward pass, and ECU had the option of accepting or declining the penalty.

Since the foul occurred deep in Pirate territory, even with the five-yard penalty, it was well within field-goal range.

With no other option, East Carolina had to accept the penalty, and watch helplessly as the Eagles kicked a game-winning field goal.

Serious business

In all fairness, referees have a thankless job. They have to know the ins and outs of the various rulebooks in the sports they officiate, and they must have those rules at their fingertips.

This time of the year, it is especially important for officials to know the rules and apply them fairly. Fortunately, the refs in this area work extra hard to make sure they get it right.

Contact Stan Caldwell at (601) 584-3137.

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COLUMN: Area refs work to get calls correct

One of the nice things about this job is that I've gotten friendly over the years with members of the Hattiesburg Officials Association.